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===''[[Vampire Killer (video game)|Vampire Killer]]''=== |
===''[[Vampire Killer (video game)|Vampire Killer]]''=== |
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| − | Black Leopards behave pretty much the same as in ''[[Castlevania (video game)|Castlevania]]''; however, since in ''Vampire Killer'' the player advances through stationary screens instead of a scrolling background, they may get caught unprepared by a leopard ready to attack on the next screen. Fortunately, this factor sometimes makes them a bit easier to be dealt with, as the leopard will frequently reach the edge of the screen and exit without even having to |
+ | Black Leopards behave pretty much the same as in ''[[Castlevania (video game)|Castlevania]]''; however, since in ''Vampire Killer'' the player advances through stationary screens instead of a scrolling background, they may get caught unprepared by a leopard ready to attack on the next screen. Fortunately, this factor sometimes makes them a bit easier to be dealt with, as the leopard will frequently reach the edge of the screen and exit without even having to fight it. |
===''[[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]]'' / ''[[Castlevania: Dracula X]]''=== |
===''[[Castlevania: Rondo of Blood]]'' / ''[[Castlevania: Dracula X]]''=== |
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Revision as of 18:27, 31 August 2019
The Black Panther (also known as Black Leopard) is an enemy in the Castlevania series. It is a jet-black predator that has lived in the castle for ages. It runs at great speed and, in some instances, it is referred to as a liquid creature that takes the shape of a panther.
Description
The Black Panther is a large shadowy feline that resides in Dracula's castle. This jet-black cat likes to sit and wait for a hapless adventurer to wander by and then dashes at full speed at them. If it lands behind its prey after a jump, it will turn around and dash back for one more attack. Sometimes, it will even stop in the middle of a dash and turn around to charge back at the player.
Some Black Panthers can assume human-form and are thus called Were-Panthers.
When Soma Cruz gets a hold of the Black Panther's soul, he gains the Sonic Dash ability, which allows him to move at an absurdly high speed and create a sonic barrier around him that will instantly kill weaker enemies and damage larger ones.
Black Panthers were replaced by other types of similar carnivores in some sequels, although they have reappeared in recent installments.
Appearances
Castlevania
First appearance of the Black Leopard in the series. The first one is encountered near the beginning of the game, lying on a platform of the main hall. When approached, it will quickly pounce forward over Simon and change direction once it lands. It can be easily dispatched with a single strike of the whip (there's no need to crouch). The second leopard is encountered shortly after, on a higher platform. The railing on the background makes it a bit hard to see and thus may take the player by surprise. Another one lies just a bit further.
Black Panthers can also be dispatched with ranged attacks. A well placed Axe will take care of them before they even attack. Alternatively, the player may approach the leopard to a certain distance, jump in place and throw a bottle of Holy Water; if it didn't hit the leopard directly, the bursting flame afterward will provide a brief moment of protection, making the leopard to run right into it.
Vampire Killer
Black Leopards behave pretty much the same as in Castlevania; however, since in Vampire Killer the player advances through stationary screens instead of a scrolling background, they may get caught unprepared by a leopard ready to attack on the next screen. Fortunately, this factor sometimes makes them a bit easier to be dealt with, as the leopard will frequently reach the edge of the screen and exit without even having to fight it.
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood / Castlevania: Dracula X
- Main article: Were-Panther Skeleton
Skeletal panthers appear in both Rondo of Blood and Dracula X, this time called Were-Panther Skeletons. There are two variants, one that stands on its hind legs and has a wider repertoire of attacks, and another which is more beast-like and charges on all fours the same way as a regular black panther.
Similar "Wolf Skeletons" have appeared in later games.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
In Symphony of the Night, the Black Panther can dissolve into a puddle of black liquid that cannot be attacked and cannot attack. It then moves to another location, reforms and charges again. However, it can easily be dispatched with a well-timed hit when it reforms or with ranged attacks. This behavior might be a reference to Lodem from Mitsuteru Yokoyama's Babel II, a shapeshifting creature whose favorite form was that of a black panther.
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
One form of the shapeshifting Shadow boss in Harmony of Dissonance is a black panther. Shadow usually starts the battle in this form, which is arguably the easiest. The panther only makes runs from one side of the room to the other, occasionally performing leaps in an attempt to catch the player in midair if they attempt to jump too soon.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
Although the Black Panther doesn't make an appearance in Aria of Sorrow, its soul does. If Soma delivers the last hit to Graham Jones with the Flame Demon, Giant Bat and Succubus souls equipped, he will get to continue to the next room and find a soul-keeper containing the Black Panther guardian soul. This soul grants Soma the Sonic Dash ability, which enables him to run at high speeds and create a shockwave around him as he runs.
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Unlike in Aria of Sorrow, the Black Panther does make an appearance in this installment, although very late in the game. Only two appear in the entire game, both in the second section of The Abyss. Its appearance is a throwback to its original incarnation in the first game, just lying there in wait for prey to come by. Likewise, the pitch black of its fur and absence of movement makes it hard to see, with its red eyes being the only easily discernible feature to locate it. When approached, it will launch in a fast dash forward; this time, however, if it hits a wall, it will bounce back in a somersault and continue the race in the opposite direction.
As in Aria of Sorrow, gaining dominance of its soul grants the Sonic Dash ability, although this time the soul must be stolen from the beast itself.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
In Order of Ecclesia, the Black Panther is an anthropomorphic female panther. Shanoa can obtain the Arma Felix glyph from it, which allows her to transform into a black panther herself. In this state, she can communicate with several cats found along her journey, which will then share their secrets. Furthermore, all feline enemies will now be oblivious to her and not harm her in any way.
Enemy Data
| Enemy Data: Black Panther | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Name - Game Description |
Statistics | Items | Location | Notes |
    (NES/C64/AMI/PC) |
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| When you come within a certain distance of this enemy, he charges you. He's very fast, so make sure you strike your Whip before he strikes you.(*) | HP: 1 Exp: 200 Atk: 2 |
1. Breaking In |
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| ' | HP: 2 Exp: 200 |
1. Monastery, 8. Dracula's Tower |
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  (RoB/DXC) |
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| ' | HP: 2 Exp: 250 |
7. Clocktower |
(Strategy) | ||
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| ' | HP: 1 |
2. Entrance |
(Strategy) | ||
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| Liquid creature. Takes black panther shape. | Weak: Fire Level: 35 HP: 35 Exp: 600 |
Drop: Meal Ticket, Masamune |
Anti-Chapel |
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| ' | Level: 36 HP: 1,600 Exp: 2,362 |
Castle B: Sky Walkway |
Abil: Can transform to Black Panther, Sword and Moth. | ||
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| A jet-black beast that runs with great speed. | Strong: Bashing Weak: Piercing, Slashing HP: 40 MP: 60 Exp: 200 Atk: 50 Timestop: Affected |
Soul: Sonic Dash (7.81%) |
The Abyss |
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| A black, female panther. | Strong: Strike, Light Weak: Slash, Flame, Poison, Curse, Stone HP: 168 Exp: 152 Skill Pt: 3 Atk: 63 |
Drop: Arma Felix (3%) |
Castle Entrance, Library |
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| A dark predator that has lived in the castle for ages. | Strong: Strike Weak: Slash, Pierce, Petrify, Curse, Poison Exp: 200 |
Soul: Red |
Chapter 10 |
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Item Data
| Item Data: Meal Ticket | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Name - Game Type - Users Description |
Attributes / Consume | Statistics / Sell | Found | Notes | |||
|
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| Mystery food ticket [use] | Buy: $2,000 Find: Black Marble Gallery, Reverse Caverns, Underground Caverns Drop: Black Panther, Stone Rose |
Effect: Makes a random food item appear, which can be collected | ||||||
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| Legendary Masamune katana [2] | Attrib: Cut |
ATT +90 DEF -30 |
Drop: Black Panther |
Effect: Slash Flurry Special: ↓↘→ + [Attack] for Warp Forward Sonic Edge (ATT +200) | ||||
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| Generate shock waves while you dash. | Attrib: Sword Consume: 2 MP/sec |
8 ATK |
Find: Top Floor |
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| Move at high speed while creating a shockwave. | Attrib: Slashing Consume: 3 MP/sec |
Rarity: * Drop: Black Panther |
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| Grants cat-like abilities. | Consume: 80 MP |
Drop: Black Panther |
Effect: Transforms Shanoa into a werecat. She can attack with claw-swipes and rapid tail-whips, both at the cost of MP. Special: Shanoa is able to talk to the cats in Wygol Village. Black Panthers and Ladycats become allies. | |||||
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| Summon an 8-bit black leopard. | Attrib: Strike Consume: 12 MP |
ATK +8 |
Steal: R. Black Leopard (5.5 %) First Obtained: Chapter 10 |
Effect: Summon Black Leopard | ||||
Gallery
Artworks
